Prime Highlights
- The U.S. carried out a high-impact strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities using advanced bunker-buster bombs and cruise missiles.
- President Trump declared the mission a success, warning Iran of further consequences if diplomacy fails.
Key Facts
- B-2 bombers and submarines targeted Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear facilities.
- The operation featured the first combat use of the 30,000-pound GBU-57 bunker-buster bomb.
- Iran denied radioactive leaks, while U.S. sources claimed significant damage to Fordow.
Key Background
Tensions between the United States and Iran had been building for months amid stalled nuclear negotiations. Early in 2025, the Trump administration reopened backchannel talks with Iran through intermediaries in Oman. Despite some early signals of interest from Tehran, progress faltered over broader demands concerning Iran’s missile program and regional military influence. Meanwhile, Iran accelerated its uranium enrichment efforts, reaching levels close to weapons-grade—deepening concerns in Washington and among allies.
The situation escalated dramatically in mid-June when Israel conducted widespread airstrikes across Iran, targeting military infrastructure and nuclear facilities. These attacks, involving over 200 aircraft, hit key sites such as Natanz and Isfahan and reportedly killed high-ranking officials and scientists. In retaliation, Iran launched ballistic missiles and drones at Israel, though much of the damage was mitigated due to prior Israeli targeting of launch infrastructure.
International scrutiny intensified as the International Atomic Energy Agency declared Iran non-compliant with its obligations. With a critical UN deadline approaching in October that could automatically lift sanctions, the U.S. administration appeared to shift toward a more aggressive posture.
On June 22, the United States launched a decisive military operation. B-2 stealth bombers departed from Missouri and flew non-stop missions to Iran, deploying 12 Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs), primarily aimed at the deeply buried Fordow site. In tandem, U.S. submarines stationed in the region launched 30 Tomahawk cruise missiles targeting Natanz and Isfahan facilities.
This was the first known combat deployment of the GBU-57, a 30,000-pound bomb capable of penetrating fortified underground structures. American officials described the strikes as “precise and overwhelming,” with President Trump calling them a “spectacular success.” He emphasized that the U.S. remained open to negotiations but warned that further aggression or refusal to comply would result in continued military pressure.
Iranian state media downplayed the attack’s effects, denying any nuclear contamination but acknowledging structural damage. The strikes mark a major turning point, severely limiting Iran’s nuclear capacity in the short term while deepening regional uncertainty and raising the stakes for future diplomacy or conflict.
